On March 19, 1883, James A. Sunderland founded a company that would be integral to the growth and development of Omaha, Nebraska. It was on this date that Sunderland Brothers Company began selling coal, cement, lime, and other building supplies essential for a young, growing city. Along with his brothers, Lester and Ralph, James quickly made Sunderland Brothers Company synonymous with coal and building materials in the Eastern Nebraska - Western Iowa region.

The company evolved over the years as the needs of the construction industry changed. As the company grew, new locations were opened in Des Moines, IA, Davenport, IA, and Kansas City, MO, ST. Louis, MO, and Tulsa, OK. Sunderland Brothers Company is now a leading wholesale distributor of tile, stone, plastic laminate, cabinets, solid surfacing, and quartz slabs.

It was 1997 when fourth-generation family member
and current CEO, John C. Sunderland joined the
company. Along with current President, Ron Bauer, John has continued to push Sunderland Brothers Company forward and strengthen the company’s identity. It is under the current management that much of the expansion of the company has taken place.

One word can be used to describe Sunderland Brothers Company over the past 20 years: Growth. Not only did the company begin importing ceramic tile in 1994, but it expanded the territory it covers by opening new locations and/or upgrading old locations. The list below shows just how much SBC has been on the move.

1992: Davenport branch opened
1994: Kansas City branch opened
1995: Des Moines branch expands and moves to its current location in Urbandale, IA
2001: Davenport branch expands and moves to its current location
2001: Omaha expands showroom from 2,500 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft.
2004: Kansas City branch expands with distribution center and 8,000 sq.ft. showroom
2004: St. Louis branch opened
2008: Tulsa branch opened

Sunderland Brothers Company also expanded both its product offering and territory by becoming a large regional distributor of Samsung Staron Solid Surface & Quartz and Iban Stone in 2003. The company now ships material all over the continental United States, and has 7 locations with over 165,000 sq. ft. of space throughout the Midwest.

The key to SBC’s growth and success has been the current managements’ success in combining the company’s long history and reputation with the desire to stay at the forefront of the industry. The product mix is balanced between strong domestic companies and imports. SBC offers products with prices ranging from affordable to very high-end; with unique and stylish options and all levels. The company’s volume comes from an almost even split between residential and commercial business.